Canadian Natural Resources fined $122K for H2S leak

WorkSafeBC determined exposure control plan was not up to date

Canadian Natural Resources has been fined $122,000 by WorkSafeBC for an incident occurring at its Fort St. John work site.

 

This firm is the owner and prime contractor for multiple oil and gas sites. At one of its sites, work was being done to cement off the well bore and remove the equipment from an abandoned well.

 

As fluid was removed from the well, hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) was released. A worker, working for a service rig contractor, was checking the rig tank and was exposed to the gas, sustaining injuries.

 

WorkSafeBC determined that the firm's exposure control plan was not up to date, and did not contain the specific work procedures necessary for the type of work being performed.

 

The firm failed to ensure its exposure control plan incorporated written work procedures as required. This was a repeated and high-risk violation. 

 

Source: WorkSafeBC